“BANG, BANG! YOU’RE DEAD, CHIEF!” That is the sound heard in backyards across America for generations, as young boys and girls play “Cowboys and Indians.” Often the games are played in stereotypical costumes; the cowboy wears the hat, vest, and badge while the Indian has on a feathered headdress and carries a tomahawk. What these young people do not realize, though, is that such an activity reinforces the racist stereotypes that many Americans have about actual Native Indians. However, the children are not to blame. Our society and media lack accurate portrayals of Native Americans, their culture and their history. Unfortunately, most children grow up with a false and hurtful perception of who these people are. As a result, some Native Americans feel resentful and ashamed of their identities. In Sherman Alexie’s short story “Amusements,” Victor comes in conflict with these stereotypes and must acknowledge that they make him feel inferior in his society.
Through movies and television, most people develop an incorrect perception of Native Americans. Often, Native American characters are not played by actors of this heritage. Also, the plots and scripts usually portray what a non-Native writer or director imagines these people to be like. “From old Westerns to contemporary films, American Indians are alternatively viewed as heathen savages and violent warriors, or peaceful spiritualists and passive environmentalists” (“American Indians”). This simple view helps create the myth American culture has about Native Americans. By doing this, our society chooses not to see Native Americans as individual people, but more as cartoons or mascots. Walter C. Fleming, who is a Native American, writes:
Stereotyping is a poor substitute for getting to know individuals at a more
intimate, meaningful level. By relying on stereotypes to describe Native
Americans, whites come to believe that Indians are drunks, get free money from
the government, and are made wealthy from casino revenue. Or they may believe
that Indians are at one with nature, deeply religious, and wise in the ways of
spirituality. (Fleming)
In the story “Amusements,” Victor realizes that he is not seen as an individual by the whites who gather to watch Dirty Joe ride the roller coaster. While the crowd laughs, Victor slowly understands that they are also laughing at him. “I looked around and saw a crowd had gathered and joined in on the laughter. Twenty or thirty white faces, open mouths grown large and deafening, wide eyes turned toward Sadie and me. They were jury and judge for the twentieth-century fancy dance of these court jesters” (Alexie 56).
To these white folks, Victor and Dirty Joe are basically the same person. In their minds, both are nothing more than Indians who do silly or childish acts. Because they do not take the time to get to know either of these men, the white crowd contributes to the growing problem of stereotyping. Furthermore, “two little readheaded boys ran by, made Indian noises with their mouths, and…one pointed his finger at [Victor] and shot” (Alexie 56-57). Such behavior shows that these boys have not been taught that what they see in films is not actually accurate. Because of this, the young boys see nothing wrong with their actions and beliefs that anyone of Indian heritage is the enemy. By not challenging the biased stereotypes of Native Americans through movies and other forms of entertainment, the American public helps to reinforce these damaging and hurtful perceptions.
Through movies and television, most people develop an incorrect perception of Native Americans. Often, Native American characters are not played by actors of this heritage. Also, the plots and scripts usually portray what a non-Native writer or director imagines these people to be like. “From old Westerns to contemporary films, American Indians are alternatively viewed as heathen savages and violent warriors, or peaceful spiritualists and passive environmentalists” (“American Indians”). This simple view helps create the myth American culture has about Native Americans. By doing this, our society chooses not to see Native Americans as individual people, but more as cartoons or mascots. Walter C. Fleming, who is a Native American, writes:
Stereotyping is a poor substitute for getting to know individuals at a more
intimate, meaningful level. By relying on stereotypes to describe Native
Americans, whites come to believe that Indians are drunks, get free money from
the government, and are made wealthy from casino revenue. Or they may believe
that Indians are at one with nature, deeply religious, and wise in the ways of
spirituality. (Fleming)
In the story “Amusements,” Victor realizes that he is not seen as an individual by the whites who gather to watch Dirty Joe ride the roller coaster. While the crowd laughs, Victor slowly understands that they are also laughing at him. “I looked around and saw a crowd had gathered and joined in on the laughter. Twenty or thirty white faces, open mouths grown large and deafening, wide eyes turned toward Sadie and me. They were jury and judge for the twentieth-century fancy dance of these court jesters” (Alexie 56).
To these white folks, Victor and Dirty Joe are basically the same person. In their minds, both are nothing more than Indians who do silly or childish acts. Because they do not take the time to get to know either of these men, the white crowd contributes to the growing problem of stereotyping. Furthermore, “two little readheaded boys ran by, made Indian noises with their mouths, and…one pointed his finger at [Victor] and shot” (Alexie 56-57). Such behavior shows that these boys have not been taught that what they see in films is not actually accurate. Because of this, the young boys see nothing wrong with their actions and beliefs that anyone of Indian heritage is the enemy. By not challenging the biased stereotypes of Native Americans through movies and other forms of entertainment, the American public helps to reinforce these damaging and hurtful perceptions.